Debunked: Moon Landing and NASA Photo - non parallel shadows

Unregistered · May 18th, 2012, 05:54 PM

I have a question regarding a particular photo which appears to have multiple light sources even though the Sun is the only light source. If anyone could explain this that would be great or put forth theories.

The following instructions:

Go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/ap.../?AS11-40-5930
Download in HiRez (4.9MB)
Put into Photoshop, Adobe Fireworks or any program that lets you turn the picture into negative
Put into negative ( this is to get better detail of the shadows)

Start from the position of the Astronaut, all shadows should be parallel as they originate from the same light source. Go to the left of the Human shadow and notice the shadows of the rocks point inwards. Then go to the right of the Human shadow and again, they point inwards. Then look at the ELM(Vehicle) and the shadow is not parallel at all.

I'm confuzzled.

**Mick** · May 19th, 2012, 09:25 AM

This is a very old and common moon landing hoax question that has been answered many times before.

The the shadows of flat ground point towards the vanishing point (the point directly opposite the sun) and ground is not flat, that's all.

If there were multiple light sources, there would be multiple shadows.

**Mick** · May 19th, 2012, 09:33 AM

Here's a page that gives examples demonstrating. It's also very easy to check yourself.

http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/iangoddard/moon01.htm

There are many more. Try adding: "debunked" to your google searches.

Unregistered · May 19th, 2012, 12:41 PM

wide angle lens

**Mick** · May 19th, 2012, 12:51 PM

The wide angle accentuates the convergence that's all, it does not affect the shadows being non-radial (not converging on the same vanishing point). That's due to the uneven slopes of the ground.

Here's a good example of shadows converging on flat ground:

**Mick** · May 19th, 2012, 02:01 PM

Here's a similar photo on Earth, with the sun:

The shadows roughly converge, but as the ground is uneven, they don't converge perfectly.

**Billzilla** · January 18th, 2013, 11:00 PM

*bumping* an old thread, didn't think was worth starting a new one.

Here's a good video from a fellow well versed in the art of video & photography back in the late 60's & early 70's. Well worth watching.